The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-14
TIE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Dinner of New YOrk's Republican Club-Iet-
- ters from Mr.. Blaine and Senator Sherman.

NJ
New York, Feb. 12-The first annual dinner
OF the Republican Club OF New York. on the an
nyersary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, was
held at Delmonico's tonight, with about 275,
more or less, well-known Republicans present,
Including Senators Hawley, Harrison and
Aldrieh; Governor Oglesby, of Illinois; Governor
Foraker. of Ohio, and Governor Lounsbury, of
Connecticut; Senator-eect Hiseock and ex-Gov.
Foster of Ohio The list of toasts was as fol-
lows: "The Republican Club of the City or
New York" response by the president James
Foster Abraham Lincoln" Joseph r. Hawley;
'The Empire State.n Senator elect Hiscock;
"The Republican Party" Governor. Foraker;
Reform of the Party Within the Party" Sena-
torHarrison; Young Men in Politics." Chaun-
ceyM. Depew; THE War Governors" Governor
Oglssby; Republican Clubs as Agencies of
Party Organizations" e. r. BARTLETT IA Tariff
for Protection" Galusha A. Grow; "Civilserv-
ice Reform" Henry Cabot Lodge "Our Legs-
latnrs." Speaker Hustled.
Mr. Blaine had been expected to respond to
the toast of abraham Lincoln, but at the last
moment ne sent a letter of regret The speak
Ing continued until late hour Mr. Blaine, in
versary and paying tribute to Washington and
Lineoln as the two immortal names in American
history, says
Your club meets to do honor to Mr. Lincoln
as q Repubiiean. 1t was the Republican party
shat eaye Mr. Lincoln tpthe Nation and sus-
<fsSfss7s him s<sSo BY step throughout his extra
ordinary A celebration of Mr.. Lincoln's
name is celebration of the Republican party.
TO that party he was sincerely attached; to its
principles he was entirely devoted; in its success
lie found the victorious issue of every great
policy of which he himself the personal
exponent. The Republican party makes no
attempt to narrow the possession of a fame that
ia recognized on all continents, that will last
through ali centuries, that belongs to humanity.
But the political organization that supported
Mr.. Lincoln has the right to claim the prestige
Of his name, it continues to labor in the great
ied where he wrought until all the harvests of
bis planting shall be gathered and garnered."
Senator John Sherman wrote that pressing
business in the Senate prevented his presence at
the banquet, and added: II sincerely regret this,
for would like in person to make earnest
appeal to the Republicans of New York to forget
the divisions of the past and unite with their
brethren North and South in developing line of
public policy in the future beneficial to our
country the great achievements of party
in the past thirty years. We not
in power to-day because we are not united. It is
the division Of Republicans in New York that
has made it possible for the Democratic party
to hold the great Office successvely filed by
Lincoln Grant, HAYES, Garfield, and Arthur.
We have tried change and what has been
the Tesult2 A discordant party unable to agree
upon line OF foreign or domestic policy. di-
vGed upon the tariff, hopelessly at all f.
nancia! questions, obsequious in its foreign rela-
tions, distinguished only for the marked promi.
nrnee n has given to confederate soldiers in for
eign courts, and now, with its term of Office half
spent, and with the House of Representatives
arsya nah RI
formulate single measure of political i'm
portance upon which it can agree with the DEM
ocratic President. Surely the time has arrived
when the Republican party should assume
again its great mission. The time is opportune.
Under the operation of laws placed upon the
statute books by Republican Administrations
taxes are so levied as to produce overf1owine
revenue without serious burden upou the peo
ple Ne are at liberty to choose between re
ducing revenue and expending our surplus
In great and benefcent objects of natural desire
We can combine the two lines of public policy
We could readily reduce the tax on sugar while
giving encouragement to domestic production in
che form OF bounty. We could repeal or reduce
sll taxes that do not tend to encourage and pro
tect domestic production. We could commence
and establish a system of coast defenses thai
will guard the great arteries of our commerce
We could place our navy again in a condition te
DO respected, and renew our participation
in foreign commerce We could authorize
citizens to build new routes
of communication across the contnen,
and protect them in their rights. We could
with our added strength and wealth. give assist
ance and encouragement to all the American re
pubcs founded upon example We could
make suitable commercial arrangements with
our neighbor, the Dominion of Canada and thus
| avoid all future controversy about the rights o.
our people to fish in American waters, and il
this way, by gradual measures, knit and mole
the interests and desires Of our neghbors will
bur own"
Governor Foraker responded to the toast. "Th
Republican Party in eloquent and forci5l
speech.
Letters OF regret were also read from Genera
3herman General Sheridan. Robert T. Lincoln
Senator Evarts. Warner Miller and Hanniba
Eamln.
Senator Harrison, of indiana responded to tn,
toast Reform within the Party" 1t believed
In pure men, The call that BROUGHT them to
Eether was a cali to sacrifice, not to spoil Thei
primaries were open and free, ard the party ii
always governed by its primaries. The mug
wumDs he likened TO a cake of musty yeast, try
ing to leaven with reformation the Democrat,
party. He invited them to come back an,
shrow in their leaven in tho whole lump.
Governor Oglesby res ponded to the sentiment
The War Governors the Pillars of Strength
which Upheld tho Fabric of the National Gov
rnment in its -Four of Peril" He SAID that h
Vas himself Dot enough of war Governor tina
Us nar-e would be heard in thesongs Of history